EP1180707A2 - Boítier pour fibres optiques - Google Patents

Boítier pour fibres optiques Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1180707A2
EP1180707A2 EP01118333A EP01118333A EP1180707A2 EP 1180707 A2 EP1180707 A2 EP 1180707A2 EP 01118333 A EP01118333 A EP 01118333A EP 01118333 A EP01118333 A EP 01118333A EP 1180707 A2 EP1180707 A2 EP 1180707A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
fibre
guide unit
auxiliary guide
optical fibre
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01118333A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1180707A3 (fr
Inventor
Kathleen Bellekens
Christiaan Radelet
David Wittmeier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA filed Critical Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
Publication of EP1180707A2 publication Critical patent/EP1180707A2/fr
Publication of EP1180707A3 publication Critical patent/EP1180707A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4453—Cassettes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a housing for optical fibres. More in particular, the present invention relates to a housing in which a spare length of optical fibre may be stored for later use.
  • the housings described in International Patent Application WO 00/52509 are provided with several bosses or "islands" which define fibre trajectories; the fibres can be wound around these islands in several patterns.
  • An opening is provided for the temporary insertion of an object, such as a pencil or even a finger, to temporarily define a slightly enlarged trajectory.
  • the additional slack provided by removing said object when the length of fibre is fully accommodated in the housing is used to readjust the position of a connector at an end of the fibre so as to allow the connector to be inserted into the housing through an aperture provided for that purpose.
  • United States Patent US 5,285,515 discloses a cassette which may alternatively be used for storing or splicing optical fibres.
  • a single boss or "cylinder” is provided which can be removed if the cassette is to be used for splicing.
  • the lid of the cassette has to be taken off.
  • the present invention provides a housing for retaining a length of optical fibre, comprising two generally planar housing parts between which fibre guide means extend, the fibre guide means comprising a single fixed guide unit defining an outer surface having a minimum radius at least equal to the minimum bend radius of the optical fibre and a removable auxiliary guide unit spaced apart from the fixed guide unit so as to define a first, longer fibre trajectory when the auxiliary guide unit is present and a second, substantially shorter fibre trajectory when the auxiliary guide unit is removed.
  • the second fibre trajectory is at least 30% shorter than the first fibre trajectory, preferably at least 50%.
  • the auxiliary guide unit is constituted by at least one collapsible boss protruding from one of the housing parts.
  • the auxiliary guide unit is constituted by a hole in which an external object can be inserted, or by a removable body that originally is part of the housing. In such embodiments the auxiliary guide unit is removable in use to release stored fibre.
  • the fixed guide unit is constituted by at least one boss projecting from one of the housing parts.
  • the boss projecting from one housing part extends into an aperture or recess in the opposite housing part.
  • the housing of the present invention is preferably constituted such that the two housing parts have respective rims extending towards one another, the rims having corresponding undulating surfaces so as to define an uneven junction line.
  • the rims are preferably substantially flexible but may also be rigid.
  • the present invention further provides a kit-of-parts for forming a housing as defined above.
  • the present invention additionally provides a method of storing a length of optical fibre in a housing as defined above, comprising the steps of inserting the optical fibre in the housing, winding the optical fibre around both the fixed guide unit and the auxiliary guide unit and, when the length of stored optical fibre needs to be reduced, removing the auxiliary guide unit and pulling out of at least part of the resulting slack length.
  • the housing 1 shown merely by way of non-limiting example in Fig. 1 consists of two generally planar housing parts, a first (upper) housing part 2 and a second (lower) housing part 3 (see also Fig. 3).
  • the housing parts 2 and 3 together define a fibre storage area enclosed by a rim.
  • a first island 4 and a second island 5 are provided, around which fibres can be wound.
  • the first island 4 and part of the second island 5 have a radius of curvature which is at least equal to the minimum bend radius of the optical fibres.
  • the minimum bend radius depends on the particular type of fibre but may equal, for example, 30 mm and will in general lie between 10 and 50 mm.
  • the first island 4 is constituted by a boss protruding from the plane of the first housing part 4, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the island 4 is therefore fixed.
  • the second island 5 however is removable or collapsible. In the latter case, the wall 7 of the island 5 may fold.
  • the second island 5 can be replaced by a through-hole in which a removable object may be inserted.
  • the removable object may be external, e.g. a pencil or finger inserted in the through-hole, or internal e.g. a removable body (pin).
  • Optical fibres can enter and/or exit the housing 1 via ports 8 and 9.
  • a first fibre trajectory I is a loop which includes both islands 4 and 5.
  • a second fibre trajectory II only includes the first island 4 and is markedly shorter, in the example shown only about 20% of the length of the first trajectory I.
  • the relative lengths of the trajectories depend on the particular dimensions and configuration of the housing.
  • a length of optical fibre may initially be introduced into the housing 1 by pulling the housing parts 2, 3 apart or by flexing the rims 11, 12.
  • the fibre is wound around both the main island 4 and the auxiliary island 5, entering the housing via the first port 8 and exiting via the second port 9. Later, when part of the stored length is needed, the auxiliary island 5 is removed. When the fibre protruding from port 9 is pulled, the trajectory of the stored fibre will be changed from I to II, thus considerably shortening the stored fibre length without opening the housing.
  • the peripheral rims 11, 12 of the housing parts 2 and 3 respectively have an undulating surface: the rim surface slopes up and down in an alternating fashion. In this way, an uneven (that is, undulating) junction line 20 between the housing parts 2 and 3 is obtained. The unevenness of the junction line 20 prevents fibres from being trapped between the rim surfaces.
  • the boss protruding the plane of the opposite housing part, shown in Fig. 4, serves the same purpose. As can be seen, the housing part 3 has a recess to accommodate part of the boss of housing part 2.
  • the uneven junction line of Fig. 3 and the protruding structure of Fig. 4 may also be used in optical fibre housings which are not provided with a removable island, that is, in optical fibre housings which may have one, two, three or more fixed islands or fibre guide units.
  • the housing parts 2 and 3 are preferably made of a flexible plastics material. However, a more rigid material could also be used.
  • the housing parts may be permanently secured together (for example by welding or gluing) but are preferably connected by a releasable snap-fit engagement.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
EP01118333A 2000-08-17 2001-07-27 Boítier pour fibres optiques Withdrawn EP1180707A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0020119A GB0020119D0 (en) 2000-08-17 2000-08-17 Optical fibre housing
GB0020119 2000-08-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1180707A2 true EP1180707A2 (fr) 2002-02-20
EP1180707A3 EP1180707A3 (fr) 2005-02-02

Family

ID=9897679

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01118333A Withdrawn EP1180707A3 (fr) 2000-08-17 2001-07-27 Boítier pour fibres optiques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1180707A3 (fr)
GB (1) GB0020119D0 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9791653B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2017-10-17 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Telecommunications enclosure organizer

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2914217A1 (de) * 1979-04-09 1980-10-30 Licentia Gmbh Kassette zur aufnahme der vorratslaengen von lichtleitfasern
DE3412159A1 (de) * 1984-03-31 1985-10-03 Schiederwerk Günter Schmidt KG Fabrik für Apparate der Fernmelde- und Elektrotechnik, 8500 Nürnberg Kassettenartige vorrichtung zur aufnahme der fuer die herstellung der verbindung von lichtwellenleiterfasern erforderlichen ueberlaengen
EP0205363A1 (fr) * 1985-05-10 1986-12-17 COMPAGNIE GENERALE DE CONSTRUCTIONS TELEPHONIQUES Société Anonyme dite: Dispositif pour le stockage de fibres optiques
EP0331479A1 (fr) * 1988-03-02 1989-09-06 BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company Dispositif de répartition à épissure et à fibres
US5285515A (en) * 1992-02-21 1994-02-08 Mars Actel Adaptable cassette for coiling and splicing optical fibers
DE4438668A1 (de) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-02 Siemens Ag Kassette zum Ablegen von Lichtwellenleiterüberlängen und Lichtwellenleiterspleißverbindungen
GB2312053A (en) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-15 Telephone Cables Ltd Splice cassettes with optic fibre guide on hinge axis

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2914217A1 (de) * 1979-04-09 1980-10-30 Licentia Gmbh Kassette zur aufnahme der vorratslaengen von lichtleitfasern
DE3412159A1 (de) * 1984-03-31 1985-10-03 Schiederwerk Günter Schmidt KG Fabrik für Apparate der Fernmelde- und Elektrotechnik, 8500 Nürnberg Kassettenartige vorrichtung zur aufnahme der fuer die herstellung der verbindung von lichtwellenleiterfasern erforderlichen ueberlaengen
EP0205363A1 (fr) * 1985-05-10 1986-12-17 COMPAGNIE GENERALE DE CONSTRUCTIONS TELEPHONIQUES Société Anonyme dite: Dispositif pour le stockage de fibres optiques
EP0331479A1 (fr) * 1988-03-02 1989-09-06 BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company Dispositif de répartition à épissure et à fibres
US5285515A (en) * 1992-02-21 1994-02-08 Mars Actel Adaptable cassette for coiling and splicing optical fibers
DE4438668A1 (de) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-02 Siemens Ag Kassette zum Ablegen von Lichtwellenleiterüberlängen und Lichtwellenleiterspleißverbindungen
GB2312053A (en) * 1996-04-12 1997-10-15 Telephone Cables Ltd Splice cassettes with optic fibre guide on hinge axis

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9791653B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2017-10-17 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Telecommunications enclosure organizer
US10444455B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2019-10-15 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Telecommunications enclosure and organizer
US11016257B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2021-05-25 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Telecommunications enclosure and organizer
US11747583B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2023-09-05 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Telecommunications enclosure and organizer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1180707A3 (fr) 2005-02-02
GB0020119D0 (en) 2000-10-04

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